A Wrexham carer who has “never run before in her life” is taking on a festive 5k race – while dressed in a full elf costume!

Mary Prytherch from Pentre Broughton is in training to take on her first ever race at the age of 55 and says although she is nervous she is taking everything in her stride.

Mary, who has worked as a carer at Pendine Park care organisation for more than 20 years, has been busy training for the fun run between her shifts.

She said: “I go to the gym but have never run in my life. My training has been very slow and steady so I am hoping to be ready on the big day.”

Mary will take on the charity run dressed in a full elf costume, which she says will make the event even more fun.

The race is being organised by Mary’s son’s girlfriend Jess Dubash, who runs the newly-formed Sisterhood Society Run Club.

The club will be hosting its first ever Christmas Fun Run on Sunday, December 7, with the 5km route starting and finishing at Hickory’s in Wrexham.

To keep the festive spirit high, participants are encouraged to wear Christmas jumpers, Santa hats or full festive costumes.

Everyone who completes the route will receive a Santa medal as they cross the finish line back at Hickory’s.

A team of race day marshals will be positioned along the course to guide and support participants, and volunteer photographers will be capturing moments throughout the morning.

Two charities will benefit from money raised at the event – Alzheimer’s Society and Children with Cancer UK – which have been chosen by Jess and club member Rachel Ward.

Jess is currently training for the Adidas Manchester Marathon in April and is fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society in memory of her nanna, Valerie Dubash, who battled dementia and sadly passed away 10 years ago.

Rachel is training for the TCS London Marathon, which she will run alongside her mum and sister. The trio all regularly take part in races to raise money for important causes.

Mary said: “These are two very important charities and I hope we can raise as much money as possible. Everyone at my work has been brilliant and has donated money towards the total.

“We look after many patients with Alzheimer’s at Pendine so I can see how important it is that money is raised for the charity to help those who need it.

“It’s going to be a brilliant day and a lot of fun. I am nervous but am looking forward to it.”

Sarah Edwards, artist-in-residence at Pendine, who created the elf outfit for Mary, said: “We are all very proud of Mary and wish her every success on her run.

“You know when she is working because you can always hear her laughing and singing. She brightens up everyone’s day.”

The festive 5km course takes runners, joggers and walkers through the beautiful Erddig countryside and directly into the National Trust estate, offering a scenic route suitable for all ages and abilities.

The event is open to men, women and children, and is designed as a fun, community-focused morning rather than a competitive race.

After the run, Hickory’s will host a festive tombola and bake sale in the barn area. All funds raised from ticket sales, the tombola and the bake sale will be split between the two charities.

Tickets are priced at £10 per person and can be purchased via Eventbrite. Further details, updates and links can also be found on The Sisterhood Society Run Club’s Instagram page @sisterhoodrunclub

The run begins at 10am, and participants are encouraged to arrive a little earlier to check in and get ready for the run.